Despite the popular perception that Indian media is now largely a platform where from propagandas to serve the vested interests of certain people are being disseminated round the clock, the revelation that China has encroached Indian territories in Arunachal Pradesh has shown that there do exist solid instances of responsible and eye-opening journalism. NDTV must be thanked for setting this example and it is from their coverage the country came to know that China, the ever-hostile neighbour in yet another nasty act has constructed a new village in the state comprising about 101 homes. It's nothing surprising from China since they have been in the ‘business’ for long, a direct fallout perhaps of their imagination they have been nurturing carefully that Arunachal Pradesh is their land which they love calling it South Tibet. Meanwhile, an elaborate reaction specific to the finding that was expected from the Union Ministry of External Affairs was not available and it was only of a general kind if its statement “Government keeps a constant watch on all developments having a bearing on India’s security and takes all the necessary measures to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity,” is recalled. But now that the episode is on the public domain with the entire country following the developments, it remains to be seen what ‘surgical strikes’ are in the offing.

Thanks to satellite technology, the matter which is of a grave national security importance has come to light. According to NDTV’s reportage, it is only after comparison of two images of the area, which is approximately 4.5 kilometres within the Indian territory on the banks of River Tsari Chu in Upper Subansiri district the startling revelation has shocked all. The first image taken on August 26, 2019 did not detect any human habitation but the second one taken on November 1, 2020 clearly shows a row of structures numbering at least 100. It’s clear then that for more than a year the Chinese authorities have been engaged with this village-building exercise and without any detection or obstruction. It now seems that Arunachal East MP Tapir Gao’s repeated caveats that Chinese incursions have taken place in several parts of the state including Upper Subansiri to catch the attention of the Central government had great elements of importance, which unfortunately didn’t find serious takers. This time, however, the ‘doors of denial’ are shut since the images speak what really the case is. If it’s a clear case of violation of status quo by China, there are definitely deep fault lines on the Indian part that led to its escape from the detection radar and it’s unnecessary to throw any hint about the departments responsible for it.

The matter is serious to the core and all actions, diplomatic or ‘others’ must be rolled out at once.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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